Charlie Strutton, who appeared on loan last season, was expected to sign a permanent deal with the Shots before a last minute switch to Braintree Town

Andy Scott admits missing out on striker target Charlie Strutton was a setback – but insists he is still on course to build a competitive squad at Aldershot Town this season.

Boss Scott has revealed that a deal was agreed in principle to sign the former AFC Wimbledon front man, only for Braintree Town to steal in at the last minute and take advantage of a delay in carrying out a medical.

Strutton, 25, made an instant impact at the Electrical Services Stadium on loan from the Dons back in November, but his Shots cameo was to last just 45 minutes before he was stretchered off with ankle ligament damage in the 5-1 win over Southport. He hasn’t kicked a ball since.

But, following his release from Kingsmeadow this summer, Strutton returned to re-enter into talks with Scott before eventually agreeing a permanent deal on the proviso he passed his medical when he was fit enough to take it.

TMS

Charlie Strutton is forced to go off on the stretcher

However, with the medical imminent, Strutton then revealed he was to join Braintree Town instead, agreeing terms to a one-year deal.

Scott explained: “We agreed a deal with Charlie and he was one I wanted to bring in. We’d worked with Wimbledon throughout his rehab so knew what he was capable of and wanted to wait until he was capable of passing the medical that this club requires.

“Unfortunately, it seems he has listened to an agent looking to make money out of an injured player and he’s decided to take the money at Braintree.

“Charlie is nowhere near fit and it made no sense to carry out the medical just yet. I don’t want to risk spending the club’s finances on a player who can’t even run.

“Yes, it’s disappointing, but I’m not going to lose any sleep over it. These things happen in football these days so we just move on.”

She has been editorial director of the online and print titles in Surrey and north-east Hampshire since 2007. Marnie previously worked at the BBC as a producer for 5 Live, having moved to national radio from BBC Sussex and Surrey.